By FIN SocCom

Manila, Philippines, October 24, 2015 - The Salesians of Don Bosco and GROHE organised an inauguration ceremony last October 24, 2015. During this event, the new building was blessed and a ribbon cutting was also held. Also, the apprentices from other trades of Don Bosco Youth Center in Manila-Tondo were also part of the inauguration ceremonies. In addition, the center also has a new Plumber Training Programme, it also offers apprenticeships in other trades such as mechanical and electrical engineering, accounting, home economics, hospitality, milling, turning as well as welding. Also present in the ceremony were guests from the local business and academic communities as well as the German Ambassador, Thomas Ossowski, and representatives of the German Chamber of Foreign Trade.

The Way to Independence

Back in 2009, GROHE a water fittings manufacturer worked hand in hand with Don Bosco Mondo e.V. It aimed to enhance the lives of young people. At present, around 780 young people in Mumbai, India have been given the chance to enhance their way of living thru this partnership. With this, GROHE Dual Tech aid project has now been launched last October 24, 2015 in the Philippnes, particularly in Tondo, Manila.

A proven concept rolled out to a new location

“Today is an important day for all of us,” said GROHE Management Board member Michael Mager on the occasion of the inauguration. “In the six years that have passed since we launched our partnership with Don Bosco Mondo e.V. in India, we have achieved a lot and learned a lot. Our work has borne fruit and demand for our trained and skilled plumbers is huge. We now want to continue this strategy in the Philippines and offer apprenticeships to the young people of Manila-Tondo to give them a genuine chance to earn a living from skilled work. At the same time, our local partners will benefit from the availability of professionally trained plumbers.”

The professionalism of the plumbing trade was the aim of the said project. GROHE Dual Tech provides a high-quality training programme that is qualified for NC II level. The programme also aims to produce more skilled labour and also to create advancements in the plumbing industry. Cooperation with the local companies will be essential in helping young people to get employed, as they finish their training, making their future more secure.

Says Christian Osterhaus, Managing Director of Don Bosco Mondo: “We are happy to offer these new training programmes in Manila-Tondo, a place that is known throughout the world for poverty and adverse living conditions. We give young people the chance to train and enhance their skills in order to compete successfully in the local labour market, to earn their living and to become active members of society.” Grohe Showroom

GROHE Dual Tech’s programme are focused among socially disadvantaged people ranging from 17 to 25 years old and who are unfortunate to secure vocational training. Courses start twice a year with some 30 participants each and comprise a 12-month apprenticeship at the Training Center including a 6-week internship at a GROHE partner company. Thanks mainly to their recognised graduation certificates, the young plumbers have the opportunity to apply for other jobs in different companies aside from the partner companies of GROHE. Assured Quality of Training

GROHE also offers short-term training courses for assistant plumbers. Also, customised modules are available for young employees of construction companies. To assure the quality of their courses, they also organise “Train-the-trainer” courses. Participating companies benefit regularly thru GROHE’s field representatives who conducts face-to-face advice and support. They also provide GROHE materials and training aids.

GROHE Dual Tech is a develoPPP.de project. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) fosters the involvement of the private sector at the point where business opportunities and development policy initiatives intersect. The programme is put into practice by Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) on behalf of the BMZ. DEG promotes business initiatives in developing and emerging countries and finances sustainable investments.